Linotype-machine



(No Model.)

0. MUEHLEISEN. LINOTYPB MACHINE.

No. 563,868. Patented July 14, 1896.

UNITED STATES PATENT rrrcE.

CAR-L MUEHLEISEN, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR TO THE MER- iENTI-IALER LINOTYPE COMPANY, OF NEW JERSEY.

LlNOTYPE-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 563,868, dated July 14, 1896.

Application filed April 22, 1896- Serial No. 588,686v (No modeld To aZZ whom it may concern.- h

Be it known that I, CARL MUEHLEISEN, of Baltimore, State of Maryland, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Linotype- Machines, of which the following is a specification.

In Mergenthaler linotype-machines, now well-known in the art, a type-metal slug or linotype cast in a mold is driven forward therefrom by an ejector-blade between two trimming-knives, which correct any variation in thickness, into a receiving-galley at the front of the machine. Certain of the machines are adapted to cast slugs which have at one end a two-line letter which overhangs the side of the slug. "When these slugs are to be trimmed, it is necessary to withdraw or remove that portion of the trimming-knife which is opposite the overhanging character in order that it may not be sheared from the body of the slug. I-Ieretofore this section of the knife has been withdrawn and held out of action byhand during the passage of each slug with the overhanging ear, and then allowed to return to its former position under the influence of a spring.

The object of my invention is to provide for the mechanical holding back of the retracted knife and its automatic return to its forward position after the passage of the slug.

I have shown my invention in connection with an ordinary Mergenthaler linotype-machine, which, in all other respects, may be of the ordinary construction.

Figure 1 is an elevation of the trimmingknives,lookin g against their inner faces in the direction in which the slug is delivered between them. Fig. 2 is a top plan view showing the knives and their operating devices, the movable knife being in its retracted position. Fig. 3 is a similar view with the movable knife in its forward position. Fig. 4. is a side view of the elevator-frame and its attachment for operating the knife.

Referring to Fig. 1, A represents a fixed knife to trim one side of the slug. B B represents the opposing knife to trim the opposite side of the slug. T he lower section of this knife is fixed firmly in position, but the upper section B is arranged to slide forward and backward. vVhen advanced, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the movable section stands in line with the lower section B, so that the two constitute, jointly, a single knife adapted to dress the slug throughout its length. hen, however, a slug with the overhanging ear is presented, the withdrawal of the sec tion B, as indicated in dotted lines, will leave an opening for the passage of the ear above the upper end of the fixed knife B, as plainly shown by the dotted lines. The movable section is guided at its lower edge by a groove in the section B, and the upper edge is guided in a fixed plate 0. The adjustment of the movable section is eifected by a hand-lever D, pivoted to a bracket E in the main frame, the lever being acted upon by a spiral spring F, which tends to carry the knife to its inner or normal position.

The foregoing parts were invented by another and are not claimed by me.

In applying my improvement I connect to the forward end of the knife-adjusting lever D, by a vertical pivot, a horizontal arm G, having at its opposite end a stud or roller H, adapted to be engaged behind a vertical bar or flange I, secured to the vertically-sliding first elevator-frame J, which forms a part of the ordinary machine. When a slug having the overhanging character is to be delivered, the arm G is swung rearward until the roller II will clear the bar I, after which the handlever D is thrown to the left, and the arm G is swung forward until the roller H is engaged behind the bar I, as shown in Fig. 2, thus holding the movable knife in its outer or inactive position. In due course of time, and after the slug has been delivered, the movement of the elevator-frame .I carries the bar I beyond the roller H, thus releasing the arm G and lever D, so that the spring F returns the knife B to its forward position.

The essence of my invention resides in combination with the movable knife of means for holding the same in one of its adjusted positions, and means for automatically releasing the same that it may return to its other position.

In short, I believe myself to be the first to combine with a movable knife means by which it is automatically moved from one position to another, and it will be manifest to the skilled mechanic that the form and ar-' rangemeirt of the details may be Widely modifled Within the range of mechanical skill and without passing beyond the limits of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a linotype-m'achine, an adjustable trimming-knife, in combination with mechanism for automatically moving the same from one predetermined position to another.

2. In a linotype-machine, the combination of a movable trimming-knife, a spring tending to hold the same in one position, a latch Vitnesses:

THOS. KELL BRADFORD, A. W. BRAnFoRD. 

